Clifton St Mary

Features and Fittings

Chancel

Reredos

There is an ornate, gilded alabaster reredos depicting the Crucifixion. It was designed by the architect W.F. Bodley and dates from 1884.

Piscina and Sedilia

Piscina and sedilia

There is a piscina and a triple sedilia at the east end of the south wall.

Choir stalls

The choir stalls
looking west

The choir stalls line the north and south sides of the chancel at the west end. They are elaborately carved with trefoil and castellated backs, ornate ends, and pierced work frontals. Apparently 19th century.

Chest

In the chancel is a document chest, probably dating from the 17th century. It has a coped lid with three iron straps and three separate locks.

Nave

Font

Font

Font cover

The octagonal font has a distinctive and interesting heavy wooden cover. It is adorned with a number of brass decorations alternatively depicting the initials 'MR', fleur-de-lis and the Tudor Rose. Since the 'MR' applies to Maria Regina it would appear that the cover dates from pre-Reformation times.

It is likely that it escaped destruction under Elizabeth I's orders by being secreted away, as was the altar stone that dates from the same period.

Pulpit

Pulpit

Plain, openwork, probably of pine and 20th century. A brass tablet on the pulpit reads:

THIS PULPIT WAS GIVEN BY
LT COLONEL CLIFTON, C.M.G; D.S.O.
AND MADE BY
WALTER PRICE,
ESTATE CARPENTER.
MAY 20TH 1930.

Pews

The pews are entirely modern, of the late 20th century.

Screen

Screen between
the chancel and
the crossing

Between the crossing and the chancel is a late 20th century glazed screen, four lights below with central doors, ogee carvings.